Celebrate World Wetlands Day in Hawaii - 2/2/08

You are invited to help celebrate World Wetlands Day. Learn why Kawainui and Hamakua Marsh Complex in Kailua, Oahu was designated a Ramsar Site in February 2005. On Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 we will celebrate World Wetlands Day at Le Jardin Academy from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be exhibits, speakers, events for the kids, free tours to Na Pohaku o Hauwahine, Kawainui Neighborhood Park garden, Hamakua wetland and Ulupo Heiau State Historic complex. See what may happen to restore Kawainui and Hamakua Marsh Complex, learn about the wildlife, and native plant restoration projects and how you can get involved in helping to malama this cherished area. The event is free. Sacred to Hawaiians, Kawainui Marsh is the largest remaining emergent wetland in Hawai‘i and the state’s largest ancient freshwater fishpond. Located in the center of the caldera of the Ko‘olau shield volcan., the marsh today provides primary habitat for four of Hawaii’s endemic and endangered waterbirds. The marsh stores surface water and provides flood protection for Kailua town.Hamakua Marsh is a smaller wetland that is historically connected to the adjacent Kawainui Marsh. Is also provides significant habitat for Hawaii’s endangered waterbirds.Fostering worldwide wetland conservation is the primary goal of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. First signed in 1971, this international treaty promotes conservation activities that also incorporate human use. Participation in the Convention brings nations together to improve wetland management for the benefit of people and wildlife and promote biological diversity.  See:  www.ramsar.org  and,  www.ramsarcommittee.usThere are more than 1,600 Ramsar designated sites in over 150 countries, including 22 sites in the U.S. Many of these sites are National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). Kawainui and Hamakua Marsh Complex is the only current Ramsar site in Hawaii. 

Malama (care for) Ulupo Heiau on Saturday, Jan. 19th

You’re invited to kokua (help) and malama (care for) Ulupo Heiau on Saturday, Jan. 19th starting at 8:30 a.m. and going to 12:30 p.m. Ulupo Heiau (Night of Inspiration) one of the first sacred temples to have built as a “mapele” (agriculture) heiau by the first people or menehune and dedicated to Kaneulupo. The Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and ‘Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi are the co-curators at this State Historic site complex and conduct service projects every second Saturday of the month to restore the Hawaiian ethno-botanical and culutral features.We meet at the parking area by the Heiau and behind the Windward YMCA.Bring: Lunch, water, rain gear, sunscreen, work gloves.If you can, also bring tools such as sickles, handsaws, machete, hand cultivators or chain saws.For more info and to signup: call Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or email at “email@ahahui.net”If you have not been to Ulupo Heiau in the last year or so, you are in for a big surprise. See what community volunteers can do to malama ‘aina!

Service Project at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

Malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine on Jan. 12th. We will meet Saturday, Jan. 12th from 8:30am-12:30pm at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine located along Kapa’a Quarry Rd. (about a mile in from Pali Hwy.) to work on several different projects, weeding in the native plant areas, clearing alien plants, hauling in mulch, planting native plants. Dress in work clothes with covered shoes, bring gloves, a cutting or digging tool, your canteen of water and snack. Contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or Malia Bird Helela to register for the service project. Email <email@ahahui.net>

Service Project at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine

The third Saturday of the month is our scheduled service project day to malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. We will meet Saturday, Dec. 15th from 8:30am-12:30pm at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine located along Kapa’a Quarry Rd. (about a mile in from Pali Hwy.) to work on several different projects, weeding in the native plant areas, clearing alien plants, hauling in mulch, planting native plants. Dress in work clothes with covered shoes, bring gloves, a cutting or digging tool, your canteen of water and snack. Contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or Malia Bird Helela to register for the service project. Email <email@ahahui.net>

Service project at Ulupo Heiau on Dec. 8th

You’re invited to kokua (help) and malama (care for) Ulupo Heiau on Saturday, Dec 8th starting at 8:30 a.m. and going to 12:30 p.m. Ulupo Heiau (Night of Inspiration) one of the first sacred temples to have built as a “mapele” (agriculture) heiau by the first people or menehune and dedicated to Kaneulupo. The Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and ‘Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi are the co-curators at this State Historic site complex and conduct service projects every second Saturday of the month to restore the Hawaiian ethno-botanical and culutral features.We meet at the parking area by the Heiau and behind the Windward YMCA.Bring: Lunch, water, rain gear, sunscreen, work gloves.If you can, also bring tools such as sickles, handsaws, machete, hand cultivators or chain saws.For more info and to signup: call Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or email at “email@ahahui.net”If you have not been to Ulupo Heiau in the last year or so, you are in for a big surprise. See what community volunteers can do to malama ‘aina!

Birds of the Marsh Tour (Kawai Nui, Hamakua & Kaelepulu)

On Saturday, December 1st, Ron Walker a wildlife biologist with Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi will lead a tour of the Kailua Waterways, which includes Kawai Nui Marsh, the Hamakua State Wildlife Sanctuary and the private Kaelepulu Wetlands Preserve. We will carpool from the meeting site. A donation of $5.00 would be appreciated. Be prepared with sunscreen, rain gear and good footwear. It is anticipated that the tour will finish about 11:30 AM at Kaelepulu. For reservations and more information, contact Rick Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or email <email@ahahui.net>

‘Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi receives a Grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) for the restoration of Na Pohaku o Hauwahine in Kawai Nui Marsh, O‘ahu, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

‘Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi receives a Grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) for the restoration of Na Pohaku o Hauwahine in Kawai Nui Marsh, O‘ahu, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

‘Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi (AML) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant of $23,066 from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to revegetate endemic plant species and create a wetland bird habitat for the endangered ‘Alae ula (Hawaiian gallinule) at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine in Kawai Nui Marsh, O‘ahu, a Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance. The award is for a one-year period.  As curator of the site, AML works closely with the State DLNR-Division of State Parks and Division of Forestry and Wildlife to protect and enhance the site’s cultural, ecological, and archaeological treasures.

AML will use a part-time person skilled in Hawaiian cultural practices and the restoration of Hawaii’s natural resources to help lead the restoration efforts by volunteer individuals and groups and assist with teacher-training at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. AML will improve the water pumping system, which is needed during dry periods. AML will also acquire from native Hawaiian plant growers a range of native dry forest plants and associated plant propagation supplies that would allow for the continued expansion of the 12-acre planted areas of Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. AML will enlist the services of college students and professors and other volunteer professionals in the GPS and GIS mapping of on-site botanical and cultural resources of Na Pohaku o Hauwahine.

AML has received grants in the past from the LEF Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for the dryland forest and wetland bird habitat restoration at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. The OHA grant will allow for continued work through 2008.  AML will also seek a Ramsar Convention Grant to promote the Kawai Nui/Hamakua Marsh Complex as one of the United States’ 22 wetlands of international importance.

‘Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi’s mission is to develop, promote, and practice a Native Hawaiian conservation ethic relevant to our times that is responsible to both the Hawaiian culture and science. This ethic is protective of native cultural and natural heritage and is expressed through research, education, and active stewardship. AML’s website is http://www.ahahui.net.

Malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine - service project

The third Saturday of the month is our scheduled service project day to malama Na Pohaku o Hauwahine. We will meet Saturday, Nov. 17th from 8:30am-12:30pm at Na Pohaku o Hauwahine located along Kapa’a Quarry Rd. (about a mile in from Pali Hwy.) to work on several different projects, weeding in the native plant areas, clearing alien plants, hauling in mulch, planting native plants or restoring the wetland bird habitat. Dress in work clothes with covered shoes, bring gloves, a cutting or digging tool, your canteen of water and snack. Contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or Malia Bird Helela to register for the service project. Email <email@ahahui.net>

Help restore the Hawaiian ethno-botanical landscape at Ulupo Heiau

You’re invited to kokua (help) and malama (care for) Ulupo Heiau on Saturday, Nov 10th starting at 8:30 a.m. and going to 12:30 p.m. Ulupo Heiau (Night of Inspiration) one of the first sacred temples to have built as a “mapele” (agriculture) heiau by the first people or menehune and dedicated to Kaneulupo. The Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and ‘Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi are the co-curators at this State Historic site complex and conduct service projects every second Saturday of the month to restore the Hawaiian ethno-botanical and culutral features.
We meet at the parking area by the Heiau and behind the Windward YMCA.
Bring: Lunch, water, rain gear, sunscreen, work gloves.
If you can, also bring tools such as sickles, handsaws, machete, hand cultivators or chain saws.
For more info and to signup: call Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112 or email at “email@ahahui.net”
If you have not been to Ulupo Heiau in the last year or so, you are in for a big surprise. See what community volunteers can do to malama ‘aina!

Archaeology tour of Kawai Nui Marsh, Oahu

Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi, the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and The Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation will conduct a Hawaiian archaeology tour in Kawai Nui Marsh on Saturday November 3rd. Anthropologist Paul Brennan and Archaeologist Martha Yent of State Parks will show and speak on the archaeological features at the Ulupo Heiau complex, Na Pohaku o Hauwahine and Pahukini Heiau located in Kapa’a Valley. They will explain how these sites were used in ancient and historic periods and of present plans by Hawaiian organizations, State and Federal agencies to protect and restore these sacred sites. New and kama’aina residents in Kailua are encouraged to come. The tour will start at 8:30 am and be completed by 12:30 pm. A donation of $5 is requested. To obtain more information contact Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112, or email: Malia Bird Helela at <hemanumalia@hotmail.com> for more information and registration.